U.S. Army Gen. (Ret.) David Perkins, U.S. Marine Corps CPL Megan Leavey to Receive 2019 Genesis Medal from National Purple Heart Organization

(NEWBURGH, NY) –The National Purple Heart Honor Mission presented U.S. Army General (Ret.) David Perkins and former U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Megan Leavey with the organization’s Genesis Legacy Medal during the annual dinner on October 3.

The Medal presentation follows the success of the organization’s recent Purple Heart Patriot Project that received national attention for bringing Purple Heart recipients from across the country to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and West Point. The Purple Heart Patriot Project, sponsored in part by American Airlines, is a new annual tribute program of the group.

Honor Mission Vice-Chairman Russ Vernon presents the 2019 Genesis Legacy Medal to Gen. David Perkins.

“I am truly honored to be selected to be a recipient of this year’s Genesis Medal and I will accept it in tribute to the thousands of brave men and women with whom I had the privilege to serve,”” said General (Ret.) Perkins. “Those soldiers don’t consider themselves heroes, but they deserve to be treated that way. I thank the National Purple Heart Honor Mission for all they have done and continue to do to ensure their sacrifice is remembered for generations to come.”

Vietnam veteran and Honor Mission board member Edie Meeks presents the Genesis Legacy Medal to Purple Heart Honoree Megan Leavey.

“Being a recipient of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission's Genesis Legacy Medal is very humbling. Being recognized for work related to honoring our veterans, specifically our Purple Heart recipients, is something that is very special and personal to me,” said former Corporal Leavey, a Purple Heart recipient.

Perkins was Commander of the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq. Originally from New Hampshire, and a 1980 graduate of the United States Military Academy, General Perkins served multiple tours in Europe and the Middle East.  He commanded units in a series of Joint and Multi-National operations including UN missions.  He was decorated numerous times for his service including the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest award for valor in combat.

Former U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Megan Leavey, a Purple Heart recipient, served our country during the Iraq War alongside her K9 partner Rex. Cpl Leavey received her Purple Heart from injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device (IED) in 2006. For her heroic actions, Cpl Leavey was also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with the “V” device for heroism in combat. Her service in Iraq and that of Rex were the subject of the 2017 film, Megan Leavey.

“It is tremendous honor to award Gen. Perkins and Cpl Leavey with the Genesis Legacy Medal, recognizing their exemplary service to our nation and their ongoing efforts to support their fellow veterans,” said National Purple Heart Honor Mission Chairman Richard Lay, a Purple Heart recipient. “The National Purple Heart Honor Mission was founded to ensure stories of our combat wounded are never forgotten. Both of these heroes are shining examples of service above self and all Americans can learn from their commitment.”

The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is a Purple Heart tribute organization founded to develop the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. The organization was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Stamp issued by the US Postal Service and is spearheading the creation of an official coin honoring our nation’s combat wounded. Given annually, the Genesis Medal recognizes former Purple Heart recipients and others who have served their nation and supported the members of our Armed Forces with distinction.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc., DBA the National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports a variety of programs to educate and pay tribute to America’s Purple Heart recipients and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

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